Kunle ADELABU
It was a day of honour and appreciation for the immediate past chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Association of Primary School Headteacher of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Ikorodu Chapters and a former Executive member, Lagos State NUT, Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa, as Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and a former teacher, the former National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, among other dignitaries poured encomiums and commendations on him as he bowed out of service in grand style.
He retired as the Head Teacher of the Oga Primary School, Ikorodu, after 35 years of meritorious service.
Also present to honour the lucky retiree at the memorable retirement ceremony held at the Megalite Hall, HOMAT Event Centre, Igbogbo, on Thursday, January 10, 2019, were former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mrs Abosede Otun, , Education Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government Education Authority, Lion Taiwo Oduloye, former Executive Ibeju-Lekki LCDA retired teacher, Alhaji Lemmy Anibaba and the Chairman, NUT Ikorodu, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade among others.
Otunba Elesho, who was the chairman of the ceremony, in his address, commended the retiree for dedicated and meritorious service to Ikorodu, Lagos State and humanity in general.
He also commended him for serving Ikorodu with honour and dignity and wished him happy retirement.
Former President, NUT, Comrade Alogba, described Oduguwa as a complete loyal and dedicated man.
“Oduguwa is a complete loyal and dedicated man. He is reaping the fruit of his loyalty and dedication. I wish you a successful retirement”.
Also speaking,Ikorodu LGEA Education Secretary, Lion Oduloye, stated:
“He is a silent operator and a very disciplined man.
“There is no task that is too big for him. He will always deliver on any given assignment.
“He served Ikorodu people and the non-indigenes with dedication. He will never demand or fight for anything for himself or his family”.
Mrs Abosede Otun, the Senior Special Assistant to the Government on Primary Education, who spoke glowingly about Asiwaju Oduguwa in Ijebu dialect, enjoined teachers to start celebrating themselves while also commending Asiwaju Oduguwa for meritorious service to the state.
Former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Akinsola, who was a colleague of the retiree at the Teachers’ College, while also speaking, stated:
“Oduguwa is portraying the discipline he acquired while we were at the Teachers’ College”.
She stated that a leader only becomes true leader if he grooms others and installs his own successor, described Asiwaju Oduguwa as a true and successful leader as he successfully installed his successor in the current NUT Chairman, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade.
Mr Rasheed Luqman Adio, the AOPSHON Chairman, his own remarks, stated that the retiree has taken the union to an height that no one can afford to bring down and that he was retiring with honour.
“He is an excellent man, an innovator, a role model, a good leader and a manager”.
In his own goodwill message, Comrade Odusami Jeremiah, the State Chairman, AOPSHON, stated:
“It was a remarkable experience working with Oduguwa at the state level. He is amiable, hardworking and an excellent man.
“Other teachers should emulate him because he is exemplary”.
Alhaji Egin, who represented the Likeminds, described the retiree as a man that always sees possibility in impossibility.
“Oduguwa is a man that always sees possibility in impossibility.
“He broke the jinx of second term in NUT Ikorodu and laid a good foundation for the union.
“I implore others who are still in service to toe his path and ensure that they build on his legacy. He is a leader that believes in lifting others up”.
The incumbent NUT Chairman, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, described Oduguwa as “ a lovable, fantastic, great and leader of leaders”.
Olori Ruth Adelabu, a retired Assistant Director and former Assistant Head Teacher, Oga Primary School, in her own goodwill message, stated that :
“Oduguwa is a manager, counsellor, adviser, encourager, teacher, leader and tolerant father and solution provider to problems.
Meanwhile, in his brief speech, Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa appreciated Almighty God for guiding him through the 35 years of service and making his retirement memorable.
While thanking everyone that supported his career, he also thanked all the dignitaries and everyone that attended his retirement ceremony.
“I thank you all for your support while I was in office. I also thank all the dignitaries and everyone that came here today to honour me”.
He revealed that the ceremony was organized by people that believe in him.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Prince Adegboola Amusa, former Education Secretary, LGEA, Ikorodu, Comrade M.M. Buraimoh, former Chairman, Deputy Secretary, NUT National, Pa Adeyoola, former Chairman, NUT Ikorodu and Mr Olukoga, former Chairman, AOPSHON, Ikorodu.
Also at the retirement ceremony were representatives of NUT Elders, NUT SWEC, Lagos State, NUT Executives, Ikorodu, AOPSHON, Ikorodu, ANCOPSS, G4, Oga Primary School, LGEA and Government Teachers Training College officials among others.
